On the Indian Trail | Page 8

thunderclouds gathered and the rain fell upon us in torrents, putting out
our fires, perhaps before our evening meal was cooked, drenching us
completely, and continuing sometimes so long that we had not a dry
stitch upon us for days together. Under such circumstances, while
ringing some quarts of water out of our clothes, or from the blankets in
which we had slept, there was no disposition to sentimentalise about
the rippling of the waves on the shore or the distant waterfall.

Thus in storm as in sunshine, it was necessary that the missionary and
his faithful canoemen should be on the trail, if the Book were to be
carried, and its glorious truths proclaimed to those wandering people in
their wigwam homes, in regions so remote and inaccessible that in no
other way could they be reached during the brief summer months.
However, in spite of its hardships and dangers, the results
accomplished more than compensated for them all. Physical sufferings
are not worthy of record, where successful work has been done in the
conversion of immortal souls for whom the Saviour died. Many have
been the trophies won and marvellous the transformations wrought as
the result of these difficult trips on the Indian trail. The missionaries,
numbers of whom are still toiling upon them, rejoice that they are
counted worthy to endure such hardness, and to be "in perils oft" for
His glory, and for the salvation of those for whom He died.
As regards some abiding results attained by these adventurous trips,
one or two incidents are here recorded.
On these long journeys, the missionary generally carried with him a
small assortment of medicines. He well knew that many a hard heart
could be reached, and many a prejudice overcome, by the healing of
some afflicted member of the family, when all other means for
influencing them for good, had for the time being failed.
At one remote pagan village dwelt a man who had refused most
positively to become a Christian. When urged to accept of Christianity
he had most emphatically repeated the expression most common
among them: "As my fathers lived and died, so will I."
He came to me one day in a state of much perplexity, and after
speaking about several things, mentioned the thankfulness that was in
his heart on account of my having cured his wife, who had been sick a
long time. The way in which he expressed himself, however, showed
the great ignorance under which he was living. His words were
something like these, and most emphatically were they uttered:
"Missionary, my wife was long sick. I went to the medicine man of my
people to cure her. He tried and tried, but he could not do her any good.

Then I came to you, and your medicines cured her, and she soon got
well. So I believe, that as your medicine is stronger than that of the
medicine men of our religion, your religion must be better than ours.
My wife and I have talked it over, and we want to sit at your feet, and
learn of this new way."
Of course there was a good deal in his mind that was erroneous and I
had to explain myself literally and enlighten him, ere I could begin to
teach him the truths of the Gospel. However, I had won his heart, and
that was half of the battle. Now predisposed toward the truth, he and
his wife gladly accepted it. They became sincere and earnest Christians,
and were both made a blessing and a benediction to their people.
There was a great hunter who had an only son. He had a number of
daughters, but they were as nothing in his sight in comparison with his
little boy. One day the child fell sick, and the medicine man of the tribe
was sent for in great haste, a famous old conjuror by the name of
Tapastanum. He had some knowledge of roots and herbs, but like the
other conjurors of his nation, pretended to depend upon his incantations
and conjurings to effect his cures. With a great deal of ceremony he
brought out his sacred medicine bag, his charms, and rattle and drum.
Then arraying himself in the most hideous manner possible, he began
his wild incantations. He howled and yelled, he shook his rattle and
beat his drum. All however was in vain. The child rapidly became
worse as the days passed. Seeing that there was no improvement, the
father became thoroughly alarmed and lost all faith in Tapastanum's
power. Fearing however to offend him, he gave him some presents of
tea and tobacco, and told him that he need not trouble himself to come
again. Up to this time he had refused to listen to the missionary's